The opening session of the African Swine Fever (ASF) Sampling Pilot was held this morning at the People’s Place Conference Centre, located on Nugent Avenue, under the IICA–USDA Surveillance and Response to Prevent ASF in the Americas Project. The project is a tridimensional collaboration brought together representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The session was chaired by Marcelle Freeland, Liaison Officer within the Ministry of Agriculture. It began with opening prayers from Ms Dianne Gomes/Veterinary Technician. Remarks followed from Craig M. Thomas, National Specialist, IICA Delegation Antigua and Barbuda who reiterated that “Our commitment is to strengthening Veterinary Services through Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean. This simulation is a clear example of how we collaborate to improve technical capacity in the case of an emergency.”.
A representative of the USDA, Mr Fernando Hugo addressed the gathering remotely and Dr. Ericka Calderon, ASF Project Manager, IICA Headquarters also gave remarks.
The feature address was delivered by Mr. Gregory Bailey/Director of Agriculture, who underscored the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening animal health systems and ensuring that the country remains vigilant and prepared to prevent ASF introduction. “The importance of developing a robust African Swine Fever (ASF) Surveillance and Response Plan cannot be overstated. ASF poses a grave threat to the swine industry, with near-total mortality rates and devastating socio-economic consequences. Though not a direct human health risk, its impact on food security, trade, and livelihoods is profound—especially in small island states like ours, where agriculture remains a cornerstone of rural development.”, he said.
Following the opening segment, participants were introduced to the respective teams from the USDA, the Ministry of Agriculture, and IICA. Then Dr. Ericka Calderon presented an overview of the USDA/FAS–IICA ASF Project, outlining its objectives, regional scope, and the technical support framework designed to build national capacity in ASF prevention and response.
Dr. Tubal Edwards/Chief Veterinary Officer, provided a detailed profile of Antigua and Barbuda’s swine industry. His presentation examined the structure of the sector, the functions of the Veterinary Services Division, and the existing disease preparedness and diagnostic systems in place. He also highlighted the critical importance of surveillance and coordinated response strategies for managing potential animal health threats.
The morning session concluded with a presentation by Dr. Christopher Hamilton-West/Epidemiologist, who discussed epidemiological surveillance in the context of ASF. His contribution included a video presentation illustrating practical approaches to field surveillance, data collection, and outbreak containment, drawing from international experiences and best practices.
On Tuesday, Oct 28, the team of experts and technicians will continue with visits to several farms where they will be able to carry out hands on exercises to enable their ability to to identify, contain and reduce the impacts of an African Swine Fever outbreak.